【テクノポップ】Artist Interviews - Part 17　SONOKO's Talk Tape

-- Although overseas releases and activities by Japanese artists are not rare today, did you have any trouble in Europe where the structure of things is vaguer and where you had to work alone?

The most effective method of music promotion an overseas is tour. 　It was difficult for an artist like me who has little live experience and makes a kind of music that is difficult to reproduce on stage.　 I never really want to be an entertainer.　But I regret that I didn't have a tour.

-- Based on your experience in Europe, do you have any advice for artists who want to work overseas?

I think it the most important thing is what you want to express.　Then you've got to know your reasons for wanting to work overseas.　In order to create appeal or help people to understand what you want, you should know exactly what you are thinking (which Japanese people are weak at).　I also think that it is a must to have a good enough level in the foreign language to convey your thoughts.

-- After a long silence, you recently contributed a cover of Brigitte Bardot's "La Madrague" to "Les Copains de Mad French" CD on the Mad French label.　What triggered you to do this?　

For a long time I sealed myself off and stopped music altogether. I felt badly about having lost the courage to continue my music.　I felt like someone who has lost her memory and is living someone else's life.　Soon after I came back from Paris to Japan, I happened to meet some people who liked my music and I was moved. Since I didn't have any idea that "La Debutante" could be loved this much, I was really glad.　It was encouraged to know that even though I'd been silent, they were fans and still kept "La Debutante" like a treasure.

Victore Elise, one of my favorite movie directors, the one who filmed the movie "Spirit of the Beehive" and "El Sur", makes a movie once every 10 years. Kenneth Anger has also spent many years producing one work.　I'm not looking to produce a great quantity of works, but if I can just put out good work, even a single masterpiece, I'd be satisfied.　It is my greatest joy as a creator to know that the album I made is treasured.

(Thanks for cooperating for the long interviews.)